2026-11-03 - Downtown Development Authority

that just joined us. So, we're great. Okay. >> Well, in that case, we'll open the meeting at 1:15 and it would be good to go ahead and start the presentation. >> Great. Uh so, good afternoon uh DVA commissioners. Uh Laura Perry, deputy city manager. Uh today on the agenda, at the request of the board from our last meeting, we have several items. So, we'll walk through the CDC case study that you all were provided in your packet. We'll discuss again the relationship between the ADDA and the CDC as outlined in the KFAX vision and action plan and then allow for overall discussion uh following up from some questions that were posed in the last board meeting. Next slide. So before we jump into the business of the day, we thought it would be valuable to just walk you all through as a reminder best practices for successful board meetings. Um so first and foremost, treating your fellow board members with staff and members of the public with courtesy and respect. Um as a reminder, you all heard very early on as part of your onboarding about conflict of interest. So, please remember to disclose actual or potential or perceived conflicts of interest on each discussion item. Uh, participate verbally, turn on your microphone in the virtual setting, raise your hand. The hand function is found at the top of the screen in Teams, and you will be called on by the chair to speak and ask questions. Listen to understand formal actions taken through motions and votes. As we've mentioned today, there's no vote or action taken today on any items, nor is there a question posed to you all today. This is just for information and discussion. And then a really important point that we want to continue to uh make is that decisions made by the board become the decisions of the authority or the organization. So you all are encouraged to debate openly, professionally, decide together, and move forward together and honor the decision. Honor the decision that was made by the board and its collective, not your individual decision. That's that's really important as you guys come together to build cohesion as a board and um operate against and with the decisions that you all make. And then last, just a a friendly reminder to please RSVP to the meeting invitations. Um, it's really important to us, as you guys saw at the beginning of this meeting, that we have quorums uh to conduct business. So, please RSVP, please let Baxter know if you're going to be here or not, even last minute, just so we can keep a tally of attendance and know uh that we'll have a quorum for an upcoming meeting. Any questions on those? Okay. Um, Council Member Horton, did you want to say a few words before we kind of jump into case studies and the plan? >> Yes. Um, well, >> let's wait till the end. >> Yeah, let's wait till the end. Um, and I'm happy to give an update of the CDC process from this year. Um, I just want to thank you all for the invitation uh for me to be a part of this study session today. Okay, great. Uh, Chair Watson, you care if I proceed? >> Um, I'm Yes. Okay. >> Deputy city manager. One thing I'd like to share though is that the organization that we were presented today, the case study that I have visited that organization a few times, mainly at visits that were proposed by the city of Aurora. And I just want to put that on the record. >> Yes, it's all right to to go ahead. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. All right, so um a little bit about NEAD. Um as Commissioner Chair Watson mentioned, uh there have been a couple of uh field trips. Uh, one was sponsored by Puma to meet and tour NEWAD, which is a community development corporation located uh, within the Santa Fe business improvement district within Denver. And Newad is a long-standing organization. It was found in 1973 and works to collaborate in this area with multiple entities uh including the Santa Fe business improvement district, the city and county of Denver as well as the Santa Fe Arts District. So very similar construct to what we have um on KFAC. There's nine staff members that support the work of the organization with 15 board members and it is a 501c3. What they focus on their their programs are pretty diversified. Uh they do a lot of work on housing counseling. Um I mentioned the coordination with the business improvement district and arts district. Uh supporting small business incubation in the area. They also do first Fridays and various events. And then also they partner heavily with the city and county of Denver on capital improvements as well and advocating for uh street improvements and and and improvements to their public realm to facilitate a lot of the activity that they see along Santa Fe. Their mission is to promote community development. Um and and obviously I touched on the areas that they're focused on. And then their funding comes from grants, program service revenue, and then real estate or real property. So they they are involved in real estate transactions which helps support their their operating budget to run the programs that are referenced here and and fulfill their mission. And as a reminder for the board, the the full case study was provided to you all. And if there's interest um in having and inviting new um to come to one of the DDA board meetings just forformational to provide a presentation, staff are more than happy to have that uh facilitate making that happen for a future board meeting. So that was the case study. Um any questions before we move on from that? I have a question just about the relationship between this CDC and is there a DDA that it has a relationship and what is it? Is it a board position? And I think that was the side that I was interested in for this. Yeah. >> So, the Denver Downtown Development Authorities boundaries do not comprise um the area of Santa Fe. It's its focus is downtown near Union Station. Okay. So, there's there's currently to my knowledge no relationship between New and the Denver Downtown Development Authority. >> Thanks. >> Sure. Do you did you do studies on relationships between CDC's? And I think that was what was the questions in that last meeting was how the two organizations work together, whether it's through board membership or uh partnership agreements orus like what are the standing kind of relationships between CDC's and and the relationship with DDA which is what we're on. So, but maybe I missed it. Maybe it was just about CDC's and how they work. Okay, >> this is fairly new. Uh, so a CDC and a DDA, this is new territory. Uh, but a lot of the kids focused on relationships between governmental entities. So, a business improvement district and a DDA. Those two would typically enter into an IGA, an intergovernmental agreement for a variety of things for for for programs, um funding, etc. Um and then similarly with arts districts, um an arts district is, you know, a certified area by the state. So the boundaries are certified by the state, but the entity and the organization that serves as that convenor and collaborator for the artists and organizations within an art district is a nonprofit, a 501c3. And that's what we have in this area with Kada. And so you'll see here there's a lot of intersection between DDAS and arts districts. Um, in this particular example, there's not. There's a business improvement district. Um, as you all recall, as part of Puma's early special district feasibility study, a business improvement district was assessed. Um, but was not determined to be the appropriate mechanism for for this area as it would assess fees on all the various businesses and is is not a value capture mechanism through TIP. So, a lot of the case studies involve multiple organizations in partnership to fulfill different goals and objectives, but not necessarily focused on CDC's and DDAs because that's a fairly new concept in Colorado. >> And those IGAs or various vehicles for partnering, do we have examples of those? I think those were the questions that were coming up is how do we appropriately like I don't think there's any question that CDC's are important and really critical. It's more of what is the relationship between the two and how do we have a meaningful today relationship that is successful for both sides. I think that's what this conversation was really looking for and what are the opportunities and different ways to do that in the future. Yeah, Commissioner Black, we can do some research on that. Um, Colorado Springs is another example. They they have a DDA downtown. They they have agreements with our district. There is a CDC in Colorado Springs. So, >> we can do some research on the types of formal agreements that these entities have together. And then, of course, informal whether it's, you know, coming together under an umbrella plan or a work plan every year. So, we can compile some information for the board. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yes, great question. Okay, Chair Watson, I'm going to move to the next slide if that's okay. >> Oh, fine. Thanks. >> Okay. All right. Uh, so this slide, you all saw this at our board meeting last month. Um, and so this is again what's referenced in the KFax vision and action plan. The proposed relationship between the two entities is is as we've mentioned the Aurora downtown development authority is subject to requirements in state statute and as such the focus for you all on the board is safety infrastructure small business support housing and economic development within the boundaries of the ADA. The funding comes from tax increment financing not a new tax. Uh we're going to be bring bringing you all an overview of the projected ADDA finances at our upcoming board meeting here next week. Um and then lastly, uh the requirement to follow the plan of development. That's a state statute requirement and that plan requires approval from you all which you did at your last meeting. And then next that will move on to the planning and zoning commission and then to city council for final approval. And then the community development corporation as outlined in in the KFaxition action plan um is is prescribed to be a partner that can diversify funding through a variety of means whe it's grant the pre um real estate as well uh similar to what we described to you all for what new does um and the focus would be housing economic development and coordination around area wide issues this is draft in the plan. Um I think you know there's definitely further development here on the CDC's focus and further conversation. Uh but this is what was recommended in the vision and action plan. And then the organization is intended to work within and under the umbrella of the plan of development as its guiding plan for its work. And then as a reminder, the boundary for the CDC is not defined by the boundary of the Aurora Downtown Development Authority. It's much broader and its service reach and service provisions are much broader as well to augment the work of the Aurora Downtown Development Authority within the prescribed boundaries. Okay, next slide. Uh this slide is another summary of the the relationship between the two and as as Commissioner Blark you know brought up earlier we'll definitely do some research around different entities and how they are connected in their work whether it's through an agreement or a plan. Um but to further what the last slide exhibited uh the downtown development authority has the plan of development as its guiding document. The CDC would also have the vision act plan or the plan development as a guiding de document but may also create their own guiding documents and mission as a nonprofit. uh the partnership. The ADA may partner with the CEDC and other organizations like KADA to achieve goals and the CDC may partner with other organizations as well including the ADA and other nonprofits um that serve the area. Governance uh state statute guides guides all the work that you all do. Uh the adopted plan of development guides your work and then of course the boundary itself. So um you all can't invest outside of the boundary. You have to invest within your boundary. And there's a whole lot of rules as you all are experiencing on your your minutes, your meetings, uh the public notice, having forums because you all are a public body under state statute. The CDC is not subject to the same rules. Um they may establish their mission statement, their own rules of procedure and operations. Okay, next slide. This next slide uh shows a visual representation of how the two um could work together. So, so side by side um again same same principles where the ADDA adopts the plan of development. The CDC is organized and established by the community which is the recommendation in the plan of development. Uh the ADDA creates work plans to identify goals. So for you all you will begin discussing available funds what's projected and then afterwards we'll in the be we around the beginning of the year starting to work on your work plan for the next year building from the vision and action plan and the plan of development and prioritizing where you all want to start. That'll be a really important conversation. Uh similarly, a CDC would do the same thing overarchingly determine its mission, its vision, its goals, objectives, and then how they prioritize their work, whether that's in a strategic plan or other plans uh to achieve outcomes that that meet their mission. Uh the ADA works to improve the Aurora downtown that's prescribed in state statute. Um so that's the work within within the boundary. And then I mentioned the broader area earlier. All of which come together and lead to both entities collaborating on shared goals and shared outcomes for the area. Next slide. Backter. And that that was what we we prepared for the board today. So, a little bit of recap from the last meeting, a little bit more discussion on the relationship with um obviously as we mentioned the need to to do a little bit more research for you all and bring back you know h the the the agreements and and how and things are working together for other entities. Um but with that, Chair Watson, we wanted to just provide a forum for questions, discussion. And I know council member Horton mentioned she wanted to say a few comments. Um so my our staff sides are are concluded. First off, are there any members of the board that have questions in reference to the CDC discussion? At this point, uh, House Senator Mahorton, would you like to present in reference to the CBC information that you provide or will provide? >> Yes. Thank you. Yes. Thank you, Chair Watson. Uh, so again, I'm Jannina Horton, council member for Ward One, Northwest Aurora. Uh, I would like to walk through the timeline and where the CDC uh, efforts currently are at. Um first and foremost I just want to reiterate the point um that Laura made uh that in a lot of the the bulk of the research done and provided that this model of a DDA and CDC coexisting and sharing similar goals um is still new right so we're building in a lot of ways um a new system of operations when it comes to development revitalization efforts along not only just the KFax corridor but all of northwest Aurora. So at the start of this year uh and and actually I want to say Amanda I really appreciated your comments in the last DDA meeting. I was able to go back and and watch it around the commitment in this KFAC vision plan for the CDC uh was was to ensure that community voice uh was part of the revitalization efforts um and that they did not get drowned out and this was a proposal um in order to address the fears of gentrification and displacement. Um and and so all that to say is part of when I came on board as a council member was to ensure that the CDC conversation did not get lost as the DDA uh was was start was being formul was being formed. So that first meeting was in February and um we started off with inviting nonprofit leaders. Uh okay. Um we started with inviting nonprofit leaders because as we know many of the CDC's are nonprofits 501c3s. Um and the logic and the the strategy was well let's consult with existing nonprofit leaders around the current landscape of Northwest Aurora and how could this fit um in the existing that existing infrastructure. Um not all nonprofits who were invited could make it. uh the list was compiled by at the time what city staff had available. Um so there were some folks uh that didn't even get the invite and so that was um a learning opportunity of trying to streamline what does what's missing uh on the city side and uh how do we engage moving forward. Uh so what resulted in um or and and and you know it was very initial meeting we gave a presentation around the DDA what it what is the CDC the people had a lot of questions about the DDA um you know we were able to get some feedback and I have those notes I'm happy to provide that to the DDA of that initial meeting uh where we're it was some basic questions of how could this potentially be structured no decisions were officially made at that meeting. We then moved into March um where let's see yes and March was intended to be a a morning session about 3 hours of really narrowing down of all the models that were on the table of a CDC to consider. Of those models, there's four total. The first is incubating a CDC within an existing nonprofit for the eventual goal for it to be its own entity. The second was for the CDC to just be incorporated as an additional arm of an existing nonprofit. The third was that it would just be built at the forefront as a stand standalone CDC 501c3. And then the fourth that that came up in the March meeting was what if we added uh a fourth model which is because there are a number of CDC's already working in Northwest Aurora. we have um a model where all those CDC's are engaging with each other in a shared capacity to work alongside the DDA. So that was one of the decisions that came out of the March meeting was to add that as a potential model of consideration. The second piece that came uh that that was that was percolating was okay we have all these models who makes that decision right and and the the general consensus at that time not quite confirmed was that a third party facilitator should come in um and help us with this work. Of course, we had to think about funding aspects uh you know who would be a part of that the idea and who would be the third party facilitator who could be a part of a steering committee to help guide this work. So in the intern between when we met in March and when the group met again in August uh I was able to work with deputy city manager Laura Perry as well as the Colorado Health Foundation. They have a hyper local focus around the Kfax corridor and you know we were able to say okay how do we invest in the development of this whatever model is chosen of a CDC that could stand on its own and work intentionally in partnership with the DDA. So in August uh I was we were really grateful uh the Colorado House Foundation facilitated that that that effort because at this point we're starting to hear that you know my facilitation or and really it was just me at the front of the room you know it there was some mistrust right of city either being in the space or seemingly to lead the meetings so Colorado health foundation stepped up we were a we we did a great exercise of what's our fear right as community leaders in this space what is our fear when it comes to revitalization efforts. Of course, we had displacement, uh, gentrification. We also had a lack of trust in the room between partners. Um, it was a really, I think, very powerful exercise that really put things on the table um, of the dynamics that we were all working with. And it was also important to reiterate the model now because part of as I'm sure you all seen with the Kofax vision action plan they provide only example of of a standalone CDC model and that it was not on the table of that was one of the models on the table for consideration and still is. Um and so it was important to reiterate that to folks so so they uh remember we're you know we're we're still in this um uh planning stage. So we met again in early September. Uh we were able to identify the list of thirdparty facilitators that the group was comfortable with moving forward with. Uh there was agreement that obviously at this point we're going to move forward with the third party. Um and you know the September 1st is also identifying you know what does teamwork look like as community leaders and what are the question like what's the timeline of getting this third party facilitator in the door. So then they can work with this group and at this point this group is about 20 tw give or take 20 people um and which is a lot right and um so you know we figured out a timeline there were some who are like by November 15th we need to have everything ready and completed others who were like no we want to go slow and intentional um and you know that was part of like okay let's meet at the end of September to help refine not only the questions we want to ask the third party facilitators also when we want to confirming when we want to invite those facilitators in if they're even interested and if so what date do we want to propose for interviews um now uh that so uh at that second meeting of in at the end of September that those were the goals um and the Colorado health foundation have offered time of one of their contractors to help develop out that work where unfortunately that meeting um not all there was only a handful of folks who were present and it was not everyone who had been part of these discussions at that point um there was a lot of frustration some I would I would argue that you know we had new ideas being presented in a process where folks hadn't been a part of it yet we had overall lack of knowledge of not only of the process and decisions we have made but also um of what you know the intention of the CDC and everything that Laura laid out in front of you all. Um and a lot of folks not feeling heard in in in this in in the process. Um and so what that indicated for me of lessons learned was we didn't have enough of a solid foundation and we needed better groundwork with the CDC. Um, now in the interimm between that end of September meeting and I sent an email about two weeks ago now, um, stating that the CDC process was on pause until the new year. Uh there's been a small group of folks as as Johnny is one of the um as a non- voting liaison to the group that is mostly made up of Debbie uh Debbie uh Stafford, Reed Hedic, Mattails Alvarez, uh Shawn Moore, and a resident, I always forget, Ken's last name starts with a W. Um and and Ken just recently came on board. And so they've been meeting every Saturday. Um, and as much as I I appreciate their efforts and the work that they're doing, um, eventually I got to the point uh where I, at least from my perspective, having been a part of these conversations and work and hearing from multiple constituents, residents, funders, all the all of the dynamics, um, was that it was really important that we not start from scratch, um, but just going back to the drawing board to build a better foundation, build better groundwork, do some intentional relationship building. Um, and you know, really think about strategically what does inclusion of resident voices in the decision-m process look like and and you know, adding that to the community leaders of organizations. Um, and of course still exploring what do all the models offer to Northwest Aurora and what makes the most sense. Now I will also say um there may be other opportunities to you know really think about you know is a CDC the realm that that that is something again while like as we lay the groundwork we're talking to more folks building those relationships is thinking about you know like how do we make sure we don't feel pigeonholed and that we're able to move this work forward strategically because you all as the DDA are moving ahead And so how as community groups, community voice, residents are equal partners in in the shared goals and work even though there there obviously as what was laid out in this presentation will be um differences in structure and movement, funding streams, etc. Um it is about that intentionality of building and if one meeting could detract the process then it told me you know we just got to calm down take a step back do a pause. So no effort at this time has my support or endorsement. Um and and you know my goal is to start scheduling meetings with folks over um the next couple of months to do some again really intentional uh work before you know we really understand what's the what's the next phase of this work and the decisions moving forward. I know that was a lot of information. So, uh, but I wanted to be as clear and concise of what this year has entailed, um, and currently where we're at. >> Yeah, Amanda. Oh, sorry. >> Miss Blara, >> thank you so much for that >> explanation, Council Member Horton. I think a lot of that was was really all of that was something that I think the the board really wanted to understand in our last meeting. So, thank you so much for explaining kind of where everything is. And I I'd say the the big variable and I think it's a gating variable is for this DDA board to really commit to the community voice that you are mentioning and that no changes will be made without that because I think you do break down trust and you break down community and and thank you for notating my comment alluding to that last time. But I think as we move forward saying, okay, is our mission ultimately, you know, to do this plan, but also to do that with community voice and the way that we've been set up as a DDA and all the laws and things that you just discussed, um, Deputy County Manager Perry, about our process is very intense and it's public and there's voting us in and there's voting us out and there's a lot more that kind of gets us to where we are today. So when we decide to make changes, you know, the this the publicness of our work is is really critical and it really does reflect community buyin to get to where we are today. Now if we all decide that you know collectively the main purpose is to do this vision plan but also with community voice and is that community voice in partnership with the CDC that is evolving and you just name four different ways that it's evolving. How can we be in in relationship with whatever the evolution is now intentionally in the future once the decision is made? I think the questions that came up before which I think are really valid for some of the other commissioners was well what are we partnering with? Who are we putting on the board? What are those are valid questions. I I think there was a lot of heated discussion and you know other things but I think that those questions are real and important and I think we can intentionally say well at at what level and at each level regardless of where the CDC goes what is the partnership of the DDA with the CDC? If it's five different CDC's that are separate and different nonprofits is there a relationship with each one of them separately with the C with the DDA? If it's one and everyone comes together and we know that all community voice and what does that mean? All community voices are heard, not just one CDC that rises to the top, but maybe there's five of them and there's only one. How do we know as a DDA how to interact with the CDC's? And I think that is the logistical issue I've been thinking about since our last meeting that's missing in what we've done so far that we need an intentional way to engage with as we move forward. And I I still think we did the right decision to move this forward without the vision and action plan with that with the CDC in it and then make changes later on. But I think there's a need to really be clear of how can and who are we talking to right now? Because if there's several CDCs, who are we asking what does it feel like to you to have a a partnership? Who are we who are we in partnership with exactly? because if there's four different iterations and multiple different groups working on this, how do we know what this actually looks like? And I think as a city council member and the people and the board on this call and all the great minds that are here in the community, like how do we really do this with intentionality at each stage and maybe it is once the CDC is formed, whatever that might be, that there is a different relationship than we thought initially. I don't know. But I think there was missing right now that that if the CDC was formed, we could have just been like, "This is who we're partnering with." Right now, we don't know what it is, and that makes it more difficult. >> Thank you for naming Oh, sorry, Chair. May I respond? >> Go ahead. >> Yep. Uh, you know, I really appreciate those two points around transparency and the logistics, right? How is this going to look? uh transparency and I'm sorry I forgot to mention that was part of a lot of these uh new voices coming in and not really knowing where the conversations have been decisions that have been made. Uh so that uh that infrastructure needs to be as public or as at least readily available as the work that the DDA is doing. So that has been one of the lessons learned. Um the second piece around logistics that that is that is a really huge TBD right to be determined and I will say this though um and I appreciate you know the group that's working on their this new CDC um is you know they reached out to Johnny as a liaison from the DDA now what can be provided moving forward uh so there there is that relationship and transparency and overall knowledge of how this work is is progressing. Um, you know, I'm more than happy. I I may not be able to do it all the time because Tuesdays are a bit hard when you guys meet. Um, is to provide either a written update or make sure I'm collaborating with council member Jackson so she can provide that. And the second piece is as the work is uh starting to formulate and however that looks in the new year uh is to you know have that intentional input and and perspective that you all can provide. So it's building the trust you know not on the not only within the CDC side but also from the DDA in the development of the CDC. Um and so that way there's an inter um integration of the idea, the shared values, the shared goals. Um and I'm hoping in that again we've got to figure out the how. Um, but I'm hoping within that cross um, uh, cross relationship, it could build the necessary bridges for both to be very successful and to have the business side, to have, you know, the the perspective that you and Priscilla bring as nonprofit leaders, um, and that community voice. And so, you know, those are they're not northstars, but there are some some big goals that are going to take some time. And that's why there's a pause right now. Um, and we will as as we start thinking about what does this structure and groundwork look like um, from real hard lessons learned this year um, and what does that intentionality mean and moving forward? >> Well, one thing I I'd like to share as an artist because we're getting close to our initial time to kind of losing the CDC moving Yeah. Uh Johnny, you're Johnny. Uh it's really hard to hear you. Can you speak closer to the mic? >> Second. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Well, the CDC, whoever selected at that time, the DDA, the ADA will uh work with that with that group. The challenge that we have as an ADA, the downtown develment authority is our work goes on whether the CDC gets formed or not. And so the meeting today was mainly just to give an idea of yes, there are CDC discussions going on, but they're not at the level that we are at this point. They're not formed. They're forming. And now it looks like it's going to be sometime January or February before they start to put a CDC together. We cannot wait for that to happen. Our role is different than the community development corporation. our role and what was voted on by the people was this corridor that we have which is mainly the businesses and those citizens residing in the DDA boundaries. That's our focus at one point when the CDC gets established. Yes, we we should all attend the CDC meetings. Not to remember we can only meet with two board members at a time but we should have stayed engaged with the process but their process should not delay our process. I think our focus has to remain and to develop. We don't have a budget yet which is meetings that we're going to start having. We need to do the job of the downtown development authority. That's just what I would suggest and I'm looking forward to when the CDC comes about and I will just ask this question because it did come up the funding that was proposed for facilitators uh council member Horton is that still something that will happen to help the CDC established? >> Yeah, I appreciate the question um of what's been aotted. I mean that is also on pause right I I think once we understand um what's the new timeline and our movement forward we'll have a better idea um of where um we could financially support um I I think that's that's going to be part the the details of of one any funding available at the time and if so how it's utilized is going to be really depended on this new approach, strategy and structure. At least from my perspective, I mean I in working with uh deputy city manager Laura Perry, you know, I I don't know if you want to add any insights. Um I just think it's as the steward or as someone responsible with public dollars, we have to make sure um it's being utilized in a very accountable way that's going to help us build Any other questions from the board? One question I have it relates to the progress of the existing plan of action that was approved. I know the date for the planning commission was given before, but can you update us on the date that it was voted for the planning commission? >> Yes. Uh the plan of development is on the agenda to move forward to the planning and zoning commission at their meeting on Tuesday, November 10th. And then uh it will be referred to the Aurora City Council on Monday, December 7th for study session. >> Monday, December 7th. >> Yes. I have one more question since we have council member Borton on just about conflicts and fundraising and and kind of the overlap and how if that was discussed by the CDC how you're thinking about it and I know Priscilla and I are the nonprofit leaders so you know naturally we're thinking about you know as in our nonprofit world which is where the CDC is there's different ways that we fund raise and we think about money and I've had to put that aside side to not look at it as something that is for a nonprofit for this space, but is really how do we get money to fund raise for the DDA and there's a variety of ways to do that and how do we how have you guys looked at you know the you really have to put aside being a nonprofit leader being in this role because it we're fundraising for something that does have some overlap with what we do but in this role I need to be only thinking about the DDA and what the needs of the DDA are, which do affect us and Priscilla and everyone else in the in the larger CDC area. But it's that was the big question I had about having board members and what that ends up doing when you're mixing the two instead of partnering on things. >> Not that it's not possible. I'm sitting here trying to, you know, think about ways to fund raise for the DVDA, but how how have you thought about that in terms of >> where is the funding coming from for CDC and how are we going to fund raise in similar arenas >> and not just partners? >> Yeah. I mean, on one hand, it obviously is going to be very dependent on what's ultimately decided upon, right, in terms of the model or structure of the CDC. So, I will say that and uh I do like generally thinking at least from my end with the like nonprofit hat, it is going to be very similar in the way you and Priscilla and other nonprofit leaders uh generate funding. Uh that is my anticipation of it. I do think however uh that as if at you know once this work is to a point where there is solid partnership and understanding between the DDA and the CDC a lot of that work um could be um I mean I don't know exactly what likeus look like between the DDA and CDC that is a Laura Perry question um I just think that there going to be opportunities to partner And I also think it's going to be very beneficial for funders to see that again whichever CDC model is chosen that they're working very collaboratively and in sync with the DDA because that is elevating all of Northwest Aurora, not just the boundary area of the DDA. So the the potential for investment and funding I think is actually very exciting. again, the how it's going to look, you know, who's going to apply for what, who's going to be in charge of the money and the reporting and and all that, it will come with time. Um, and I and I think that's part of um the the need to make sure that you all as the DDA know how the CDC is progressing and there's of course plenty of people who understand vice versa and that's going to be the transparency, the intentionality, the report outs. Um, and this is our first year, right, of really doing something very new. And so I think we could take those lessons into next year to be much more intentional. Um, and and again, not only build those relationships um, and but being transparent. And so I really do I one I want to apologize for not being able to show up to DDA spaces and explain what has been happening around the CDC. And also I'm excited to see where where we take this knowing what we have learned so far. Thank you. That's very good information. Any other questions? >> Um I just have a a comment for um clarity just to make sure I'm um I'm hearing everyone loud and clear. Um >> thanks. So, um, just for clarity, um, what I'm hearing, um, I think I'm hearing, um, Council Member Horton saying is that, um, you're taking a pause, um, from any CDC involvement. Um however CDC in CDC um meetings and development will still continue um on behalf of [snorts] people who are already like who've already started that process, right? Yeah, happy to clarify. Thank you. That is yes. So, um, there are a number of existing CDC's in Northwest Aurora. Some have been around for, you know, a while. Some are very new, like the original Aurora CDC, um, which I know you all received a letter about. And I I I think it is worthwhile for you all to understand the existing ecosystem when it comes to all CDC's. I am being very transparent that again I'm not supporting or endorsing any CDC to be the model or organization that is working alongside the DDA now. Yeah. So that that's >> that's where I'll leave that. >> Okay. >> Gotcha. And so um in regards to um how things are worded in our plan of action, it just says um that we can work with a C a model. It doesn't say which one, right? So if there's various CDC's that pop up, there is a possibility of us having to choose a model or a group or are we going to is there one that is working specifically with the purpose of working with the DDA? Yeah, that's a great question. Um, I mean, I can't tell y'all how to vote in in in the work that you all do. Um, my recommendation at this point, um, would be to focus on the work that is in front of you all. Um, and for us to revisit the CDCbased conversation in the new year. Uh and I think by that point one you know the V coax vision action plan you all would have discussed it'll be in front of council etc. Um and when there's that new uh rendition of the work I think that could be one of the conversations we really dig into. Um yeah so I yeah so yeah I'll leave it at that for now. >> Okay. And then and then that's basically what I'm saying is our job is the A DDA. >> We have to focus on getting the through planning commission, focus on getting it through council, start working on our budget. The CDC is going to progress however it progress and when they become a former organization, we'll probably have to make some type of a decision at that time. But today it's it's not active. It's forming. And whoever it ends up being, I'm sure council member Horton will bring information to help us along with that. But as a downtown development authority, the businesses along Coldfax are our main focus. We're in an economic downturn nationally and we now have an opportunity to make things better for businesses on KFax. That's my focus. The community development corporation is going to establish and everyone will come together. But my focus downtown development >> and that's where we are. And I'm I'm hoping to have more community members start attending our meetings and also more board members start attending our meetings. But I would like to [clears throat] say at this point, if there are no other questions, >> is does staff have something they'd like to report or add to the meeting before we adjourn? >> Uh, no, Chair Watson, just a reminder, the board's monthly meeting is next week on November 10th from 11 to 1. Quick reminder for everybody, the room location for the meeting has changed to the Aurora room at the Aurora Municipal Center. Uh logistically this room provides for better audiovisisual uh capabilities for recording the meeting, running the meeting. Um it's it's large enough to also uh welcome members of the community to come and still engage in public invited to be heard with you all. So uh we appreciate everyone's adjustment. Uh the city put out a release yesterday making sure everybody knew that the location was changing. Um, so we just want to remind folks of that for next week. >> Laura, one thing >> and please tell your networks like we have it in communications on the city calendar, but please also reach out to your networks, your friends to just double check that they understand about the change in location. >> Thanks for that, Miss. And if there are no other questions, thanks again. Thanks a lot to M Council Horton for that update. That was very, very helpful. I just want to thank you for taking the time to to do that. So, at this point, the meeting's adjourned. >> Thanks, everybody.